1992 Acura Introduction

The launch of Acura Automobile Division on March 27, 1986, was a uniquely noteworthy event, not just for Acura and its parent, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., but for the world automotive industry. It was the beginning of a bold experiment: the creation of an entirely new automobile division from the ground up.

The Acura Division was created to bring stimulating performance, state-of-theart technology and engineering, elegant styling, excellent efficiency,intelligent value and unprecedented customer service to the luxury import automobile market.

Now in its sixth year, that venture is showing extraordinary results - Acura is an acknowledged leader in the performance/luxury import field. From a start-up with two automobile lines, three models and 60 dealers, Acura now offers four automobile lines, with six distinct models, sold through a nationwide network of over 300 dealers. There are now over 600,000 Acura automobiles on the road - 138,384 Acura automobiles were sold in 1990, substantially more than Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Lexus, Saab, Infiniti or Audi.

Customer Satisfaction

While selling many more cars than its competition, Acura has also outperformed the others in the most important measure of success: making the ownership experience as satisfying as possible. Acura ranked number one in the J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index(sm) (CSI) survey in 1987,1988,1989and 1990 - the first four years the company was eligible.

Acura has also ranked number one in two other surveys that measure longerterm customer satisfaction with the automobile ownership experience. Acura ranked best in operating performance and overall comfort after three years of ownership in the 1990J.D. Power and Associates VehiclePerformance Indexsm**(VPI), the first year ofthe study (The Power Report, March 1991).

*J.D. Power and Associates 1987-1990 Customer Satisfaction with Product Quality and Dealer Service(sm). Based on one full year of ownership.
**J.D. Power and Associates 1990 Vehicle Performance Study of 1989 Model Year Cars(sm). Based on 23,700consumer responses reflecting owner ratings of tbe operation, interior environment, comfort, and roominess of their vehicle. (Study included only Legend and Integra models.)

Research And Development

The extraordinary success of Acura automobiles can be attributed largely to the research and development that goes into every car. Acura automobiles are designed and built using leading-edge technology. At the same time, they are well known for extremely high levels of ergonomic design, quality and durability.

To give the designers and engineers the kind of creative freedom and positive working environment they need to function at their best, Honda Research and Development Co., Ltd., was formed in 1960as a separate entity from its parent, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. This separation allows the engineers of Honda R&D to go their own way, investigating new ideas and innovations without the budgetary and bureaucratic constraints encountered by engineers at many other automobile manufacturers.

After an automobile is designed and developed, it is exhaustively tested at facilities in Japan and the United States, and it undergoes environmental testing in harsh climates and conditions all over the world. The main Honda R&D testing facility in Japan is the Tochigi Proving Grounds, with its broad range of demanding driving situations. Acura automobiles are also tested at two major Honda-owned test facilities in the United States. The Transportation Research Center (TRC), in East Liberty, Ohio, includes many of the same capabilities as the Tochigi Proving Grounds. And further illustrating the Acura and Honda commitment to the U.S. market, Honda has recently opened an all-new testing facility in the desert north of Los Angeles. Honda Proving Center California (HPCC) allowsthorough development and product testing close to Acura Division and Honda R&D North America headquarters in Torrance, California. HPCC incorporates a 7.5-mile high-speed oval track, and will soon offer a full range of other challenging surfaces and test facilities.

The Acura approach to satisfying its customers is deceptively simple: Give them better designed, developed and tested automobiles. Having comprehensive test facilities is not unique, but judging by the results of survey after survey, the way Acura uses these facilities is.

Racing

The deep-seated commitment of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Acura Division, to racing started at the very beginning. Soichiro Honda, who founded Honda in 1948, was a racing enthusiast at heart. Throughout his life he maintained an active interest in his company's racing exploits and in the world-leading technology that made them possible.

Nobuhiko Kawamoto, president of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., has his roots in racing as well. Kawamoto was a key engineer on the early Honda Formula One racing effort in the 1960s. And later, as president of Honda Research and Development Co., Ltd., his influence and engineering expertise led to the Honda return to Formula One racing in 1983.

Formula One racing is the world's most demanding arena of motorsport competition; the participation of Honda in Formula One serves as an indispensable training ground for engineers, and a unique source of inspiration for the designers of Acura production automobiles.

Racing also provides a priceless body of knowledge, at the leading edge of technology, that would be impossible to acquire in any other way.

Honda-powered cars have won five consecutive Formula One Constructors' World Championships, and four consecutive Formula One Drivers' World Championships. But the ultimate payoff of this racing experience is built into each Acura, in the satisfying way it functions and feels.

For the 1991 Grand Prix season, Honda is supplying new 3.5-liter V-12 engines to the Honda Marlboro McLaren team, and 3.5-liter V-10 engines to the Tyrell Formula One team.

The Acura commitment to racing is also evident on the racetracks of the United States. Race-prepared Acura Integra automobiles have won two consecutive IMSA International Sedan Manufacturers' Championships, and three consecutive IMSA International Sedan Drivers' Championships.

The Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP-Light race car, powered by a modified Acura NSX V- 6 engine, carried veteran driver Parker Johnstone to the Drivers' championship in the 1991 IMSA Camel GT Lights series.

1992 Acura Automobiles

Two initial model lines went on sale in March 1986. The Integra sports sedans, in both 3-door and 5-door versions were introduced, along with the Legend 4-door performance/luxury touring sedan. The Legend Coupe was introduced one year later, in March 1987.

Since the unveiling of the two original Acura model lines, two models have been added: the mid-engine NSX exotic sports car and the Vigor sports sedan. And both original model lines, the Integra and the Legend, have been superseded with all-new, totally redesigned and re-engineered successors: the Integra in the 1990 model year and the Legend Sedan and Legend Coupe in the 1991model year.

Acura enters the 1992 model year with a full line of precision crafted performance automobiles, each carefully tailored to bring the best in engineering, ergonomics and driving satisfaction to its owners.

The 1992 NSX, called "the world's best sports car," remains essentially unchanged from its 1991 specifications. The 1992 NSX is available in Grand Prix White for the first time, in addition to the original three color choices.

The 1992 Legend Sedan and 1992 Legend Coupe are also largely unchanged, having been introduced as all-new models for the 1991 model year. For 1992, a passenger's side Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag is standard equipment on every Legend Coupe, and on L and LS Legend Sedan models as well. Also, an innovative seatbelt tensioner is now standard on all Legend Sedan and Legend Coupe models. As in 1991, burled walnut veneer is used to accent the interiors of LS Legend Sedan and Legend Coupe models; for 1992, simulated walnut veneer is used on the consoles of Sedan, Sedan L and Coupe L models. A new beverage holder is a standard feature in all 1992 Legend models. And, LS models have heated front seats.

The Vigor personal performance sports sedan was introduced, in the spring of 1991, as a 1992 model and has undergone no significant changes since. The Vigor is powered by a 2.5-liter, 20-valve, all-aluminum inline 5-cylinder engine. It features 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and a wood-accented interior. The second-generation 3-door and 4-door Integra sports sedans, introduced as 1990 models, have undergone substantial improvements and refinements for the 1992 model year. Subtle restyling, at the front and rear of all models, has updated the smooth, aerodynamic Integra body envelope. The interiors have been subtly redesigned, with revised instruments and a distinctive four-spoke steering wheel. The l.8-liter, DOHC, 4-valve-per-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower for 1992, a 10- horsepower increase. And a new hydraulic engine mount makes the already silky power plant even smoother in operation.

Features, illustrations and equipment shown in this press kit are based upon the latest available information at the time of publication.

1992 Formula One Tentative Schedule

1992 IMSA Camel Lights Tentative Schedule